16660 versus 16800

[topcat30093]

Following on from my previous post about wearing my 5512 as an everyday watch.

I have been giving the subject a lot of thought and the fact is that the 5512 is far to valuable to be used in my daily job, one knock and I could damage it, not necessary beyond repair, but it may never be the same.

So my thoughts are to get either a matte dial with beautiful & genuine patina, 16660 or 16800. This piece would be used as a total tool watch. Also I would feel happier swimming with it. I would probably remove the bracelet and fit a NATO strap.

Now I am asking for your thoughts, both pros & cons between these two models. What do you think, which one and why

Please include as many photos of the two pieces as possible.

Thank you for your help.

Regards

Tony

[MP5]

Well the 666 is the one but a 10K daily beater isn't ideal. The 16800 would be more sensible.

[drockadam]

Go for the 16800. After your done with it, can you donate it to me?

[gensiulia]

not a fan of the lens of sapphire crystals; also I consider the "devil" on of more interesting tool watches ever.
and then, what's better of a valve for daily use? ;)
choose him.

[azguy]

If it was me, I'd consider a SD 16600, as daily wear it will take anything you can throw at it with zero worries, then wear your vintage off hours....

If I had to choose one that you listed I'd pick the 16800, the 16660 is just to much coin to beat it up....IMHO

[fusionstorm]

How about both??!!

[brian8121]

If it's a beater, I'd go with the 16800. Have you considered a 1680 white-letter Sub that has been fully serviced? Less expensive than the triple six and more interesting (IMHO) than a 16800.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

...........one knock and I could damage it, not necessary beyond repair, but it may never be the same.

Why would you worry about a 5512/5513 more than any other Rolex? Is it because of the plexiglas crystal?? If so, I don't worry a bit about damaging my 5513. A little polish on the crystal and it is good as new

What you need to decide is date vs no-date and sapphire vs plexiglas. Once you have decided those 2 aspects, then you can pick the best watch for the job. Honestly, my 5513 has become my daily beater to wear to work.

My vote would be for a 16800 with the cyclops removed. You should be able to pick one up for a decent price. I acquired this one for less than $3,000 less than 2 years ago.

[Tudor66]

Another happy 16800 owner here, though with the newer dial. It's a great everyday office watch, though it hasn't been in the water yet- I need to get it pressure tested first. I am always drawn back to the simple/clean bezel insert and dial...

[JohnBoy]

You are giving this thing too much thought, Tony. That 5512 has probably been worn as a daily beater for its first 15-20 years - and look where it is (looking at retirement in a safe????). It can be fixed if you crash and burn somehow. Its perfect for levis and weekends! By all means, acquire more watches, but don't baby the 5512. If you are cutting firewood, chipping welds, king crabbing in the Gulf of Alaska, or doing some 'burning' overhead in the shipyard, put it in your lunchbucket and carry on. Just my 2 cents, of course.

[topcat30093]

Thank you for all your thoughtful comments.

They all make sense and are viable points. I have no intention of keeping the 5512 in a safe to fester, it will be worn.

But as you can see from my previous photos, it is quite a nice piece with its lovely gilt chapter ring exclamation dial. And yes I can replace the plexi, but not the dial, should anything happen.

But something like a 16660 or 16800 which both can take a lot more pounding, I thought would be perfect.

Jason, that is a lovely looking 16800 and just the way I would wear it.

Regards

Tony

[polarinda]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Why would you worry about a 5512/5513 more than any other Rolex? Is it because of the plexiglas crystal?? If so, I don't worry a bit about damaging my 5513. A little polish on the crystal and it is good as new

What you need to decide is date vs no-date and sapphire vs plexiglas. Once you have decided those 2 aspects, then you can pick the best watch for the job. Honestly, my 5513 has become my daily beater to wear to work.

My vote would be for a 16800 with the cyclops removed. You should be able to pick one up for a decent price. I acquired this one for less than $3,000 less than 2 years ago.

less than 3k?! crazy price.

[Mike1066]

I'd go 16800. Triple 6 is too expensive to be a beater.

[blassy]

My beater and vote for the 16800. Sub C is pretty regular on the wrist, but for daily wear this is my favorite. Have a ton of different straps for different looks and a new insert to change things up!

[topcat30093]

Chris, that would do nicely :)

So thinking that perhaps the 16800 is the way to go.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by polarinda

less than 3k?! crazy price.

No bracelet and I had to deal with a bit of rust when I first got it. A trip to Bob Ridley and over $1,000 in service / parts replacement costs and it is back to great shape

[topcat30093]

Bringing this one back to the top :)

Just seen three 16800 with different patina's varying from 1982-86 and one thing that I noticed is that the size of the markers on the 1982 dial looked larger then the other two, was that normal, also what is the hype (if any) about open and closed 6 & 9's as again two had open and one had closed??

And to add a further complication to my decision making process. A 168000 has also been suggested.

Any thoughts & views, again, would be apprecited?
Regards

Tony

[jjkapsberger]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Following on from my previous post about wearing my 5512 as an everyday watch.

I missed that one. Can you post a link?

[topcat30093]

Here you go :)
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=233973

[jjkapsberger]

Right, that one. I remember it now. Thanks. Enjoy the closed-minute-track two-line beauty.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Bringing this one back to the top :)

Just seen three 16800 with different patina's varying from 1982-86 and one thing that I noticed is that the size of the markers on the 1982 dial looked larger then the other two, was that normal, also what is the hype (if any) about open and closed 6 & 9's as again two had open and one had closed??

And to add a further complication to my decision making process. A 168000 has also been suggested.

Any thoughts & views, again, would be apprecited?
Regards

Tony

I personally would stick with the idea of a matte dial 16800 over a gold surrounds dialed watch. For that reason, I would avoid the 168000.......but that is just me. If you were gonna get a 168000, you might as well just get a 16610

[John in MA]

I'd stick with the 16800 matte. I don't think the plots are different sizes.

16800's can be had with three different types of date wheels.

Silver with open 6 and 9's in the first runs
White open 6 and 9 in the later versions (both matte and gloss dial)
White closed 6 and 9 modern small font service discs.

The open 6 and 9 is better as it is the larger font and has that vintage feel. It is possible to ge a 3135 based sub with old style font and open 6 and 9's but very uncommon.

I have a 1680 white and a 16800. Both get equal wrist time and you can't go wrong with either. Both have the silver date disc.